No matter how much sleep I get, I still feel tired all the time?

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Reply 20

username951095

more sleep does not mean you wake up more refreshed.

more sleep can actually make you feel more tired.

Reply 21

moya

Original post by ELs123

more sleep does not mean you wake up more refreshed.

more sleep can actually make you feel more tired.

It depends, generally it doesn't, but because people tend to sleep more on weekends, the body tries to make up for sleep deprivation, and tries to get as much as it can. But usually we still don't want to wake up later than a certain time because it doesn't feel right, so we either set an alarm (which means you wont get enough sleep) or just jump out of bed on first seeing the clock

what you SHOULD do, and everyone should do, is find out how much sleep your body needs, which can only be done by free running sleep (sleeping naturally). Doing this you will find yourself actually sleeping less, because you are no longer sleep deprived, and feeling more awake during the day.

Reply 22

pshewitt1

I thought this happened to everyone once they hit around 14-15... and that's why older people are generally more sceptical and angry :L the trend just continues...

Reply 23

AlaskaMcCann

Get your thyroid levels checked.

Reply 24

Michaelj

You need to eat more fruits and also i've been taking a tablet from boots that gives energy. Ox0 something but it substitutes for food you haven't eaten for energy. Also are you having a lot of sugar? Because sugar levels will drop down and you'll feel tired. Are you showing on the morning? good for waking up.

Reply 25

Becca94

This happens with me, i think it's just school work because i'm mostly fine if it's at the weekend.

Reply 26

goose1811

Im totally the same! urgh its awful, school is a nightmare and i just want to sleep all the time!! comes with hunger too normally. i would go to the doctors but i have a phobia of blood tests :frown:

Reply 27

butter_god

Original post by buildalegohouse

I've always been one of these people that needs loads of sleep, and usually, I get it. On a good day, I can manage 8 hours, or if I'm staying up revising, it's usually around 7-6 hours.

But even at the weekends, when I get more sleep, I still feel lethargic and tired, like I can't motivate myself to do anything, and it lasts pretty much all day. It's bad enough walking to school, never mind finding the energy to concentrate on schoolwork or revision.

I've tried coffee and energy drinks and they don't help, and my diet is pretty healthy.
I'm starting to think it's all the pressure and stress of exams...
Any suggestions/advice?
:confused:

This happened to me during the winter (i.e. not enough sunlight)- maybe you should go for a walk in the park ect.
Also, a multivitamin could help.
Usually when I revise, I need loads of sleep to function. I'm all for coffee when I work at night- but try to limit to no more that 2 cups because it screws up your sleep systems.
Also, try to get more carbohydrates into your diet- it's makes sleeping easier.

I suggest you don't go to a GP with this because all they will do is prescribe anti-depressants ect. which tend to fuddle you up ect; also get some exercise- it helps regulate sleeping patterns.

Reply 28

Kenocide

Original post by butter_god

Just so's you know, it's etc rather than ect. I'm not a grammar nazi - well actually I lie, I am, but I don't do it to piss people off. If I didn't tell you someone else would.

Also you use the word too often.

Reply 29

shezshez

It's about routine. If you went to bed at say 10.30-11pm, and awoke at 7.30-8am every day for two weeks, yes even weekends, you'd start to feel better.

be more active, so you're more tired, when you're more tired you get more of the good quality sleep that refreshes you.

Reply 30

holeye

You did pretty much just list the symptoms of depression. Go to your GP and just chat about how you feel. It could be something a lot simpler like anaemia. But if it is depression there are still lots of ways they can help (p.s. not all people with depression are sad and want to kill themselves)

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 31

moya

Original post by shezshez

making yourself more tired doesn't really solve the problem

Original post by holeye

I didn't think depression when I read the OPs post...

Reply 32

NathanW18

I have the same issue, but I guess it's linked to my depression and anxiety. It makes getting through a full day pretty tough.

Reply 33

moya

by the way, if anyone is interested in learning more about sleep, read http://www.supermemo.com/articles/sleep.htm

you will be surprised about how much most people don't know about sleep

Reply 34

butter_god

Original post by Kenocide

Seriously, you just made my day :smile:

I'm rolling with laughter and thanks for the tips!
Maybe et cetera would work :wink:

Reply 35

Nikstar95

Original post by buildalegohouse

I'm pretty sure its your low hemoglobin causing all the trouble ... my sis had the same prob... get ur hemoglobin levels checkd it shuld be close to approx. 11-12 min.

:smile:

Reply 36

EonBlueApocalypse

Original post by moya

tool?

I had to read that a few times, first glance I thought you were calling me a tool and was about to flame you back :smile:

Yes, it's a track from Lateralus.

Reply 37

shezshez

Original post by moya

making yourself more tired doesn't really solve the problem

I didn't think depression when I read the OPs post...

8 hours routinely won't make you more tired, you'll actually be more refreshed.
More sleep does not mean you will feel better.

Reply 38

buildalegohouse

Thanks everyone for your replies...

Okay so someone asked about my diet-
Usually I have some toast and tea for breakfast,
Fruit to snack on, Usually a sandwich or something for lunch, and a baked potato or homecooked meals for dinner.

I do usually use an alarm, but I'm always asleep when it goes off.

And exercise really isn't my thing. Don't do much except going for walks...nothing strenuous.
Perhaps I should try the exercise?

Reply 39

mrnightcat

Original post by buildalegohouse

Obviously I'm not a doctor at all, but I've suffered from a sleep disorder (DSPS) since I was around 15.

What time do you go to bed and wake up? If the time tends to vary, firstly set a fixed time for as long as possible, ideally a month to see if anything helps. Get 8 hours - no less, and normally there's not much need for more. Keep this schedule throughout the weekend too. Try 10:30pm to 6:30am.

Are you struggling to get to sleep at night, and does it take a long time to fall asleep?

1) Go see a doctor next and get a few tests done - sort of a blood MOT, you go for a blood test and have several measurements taken, one being your thyroid, etc. Make sure these are normal; they probably are. Just a note, from my experience, not every doctor has wide knowledge of certain sleeping disorders. Just from my experience - I'm certainly not downplaying the importance of GPs.

2) Keep a strict hold on your sleeping behaviour: set times as I said above, try your best not to let evening activities get in the way, don't drink too much alcohol, stay off the caffeine as much as you can and most importantly keep this up for as long as you can.

3) If it takes a very long time to fall asleep on time, take around 3mg of melatonin 1 to 2 hours before sleep. Melatonin is what is produced in your body to control your circadian rhythm and causes the need for sleep. It is not a sleeping pill, and will only make you mildly drowsy - for it to work you need to go to bed on time. Buy it on Amazon imported from the US, since it's apparently prescription-only if obtained in the UK, but there's nothing wrong with importing some. Melatonin is perfectly safe but obviously talk with a doctor if you've any concerns - look it up for details.

4) For morning tiredness, buy a light therapy lamp which is certified to provide 10,000 lux of light - you don't need to spend hundreds on an upmarket one, just get a budget box. They are generally expensive though. Use the lamp every morning, for at least one hour, immediately after waking. Keep it on a desk closer than 40cm away from your eyes but don't look directly into it. Bright light therapy simulates a bright sky, causing your brain to react and rapidly reduce your body's melatonin levels. This will wake you up considerably and help keep you alert. It will also help your body adjust to an earlier sleeping time if you keep this up every day.

5) Regardless of whether the above prove helpful or not, if you feel your sleeping trouble is getting out of hand or impacting your life considerably, see a doctor and aim to see a sleep specialist. I don't believe there are many GPs who can accurately determine which sleep disorder a person may have; I would only take a sleep specialist's diagnosis as authoritative. Also remember that depression, if relevant is not always the cause of a sleep disorder; often it's the product of one.

PM me if you'd like a chat. I don't bite :smile:

(edited 11 years ago)